The farmhouse style’s charm lies in its understated elegance, ensuring its enduring appeal. However, embracing this style doesn’t require a rural setting. You don’t need a barn or a chicken coop in your backyard to appreciate the country's aesthetic. This timeless, effortlessly cozy design can enhance any home, offering a sense of tranquility and charm to everyone, regardless of their location.
Below, we will discuss farmhouse style in detail and our expert-picked 11 interior design ideas.
The American farmhouse style interior originally emerged out of necessity. Practical features like a spacious apron-front sink made daily tasks easier, a robust, lengthy table was essential for feeding everyone in the household, and the sight of exposed, hand-hewn ceiling beams was common, as they were vital for structural support. Although only 1% of the USA live on farms today, creating a warm, inviting atmosphere inspired by this style is surprisingly simple. Incorporate elements from the farmhouse tradition to bring that cozy, rustic charm into your home—think about how these elements can enhance your table, chairs, walls, floors, and beyond.
Farmhouse interior design traces its roots back to the 1700s in Germany and Scandinavia when the first farmhouses were constructed. This style soon made its way to the United States, where these homes, often expansive, included additional bedrooms to accommodate farm laborers.
Early American settlers chose wood for their farmhouses, utilizing this readily available local resource. Wood wasn't just used for the structure but also featured prominently indoors in elements like flooring, tables, cabinetry, shiplap walls, and furniture. Originally, the farmhouse style was defined by its practicality. It embraced a lived-in, rustic charm, not as a deliberate style choice but as a necessity for farm life.
The farmhouse style was revived in the 1930s thanks to designer Sister Parish. Known for her "American Country Style," Parish incorporated many farmhouse elements into her designs, including plaid fabrics, painted wooden furniture, and a neutral color scheme.
Below are some of the key elements of farmhouse style that give you a rustic and practical look:
Rustic farmhouse homes frequently incorporate reclaimed wood from weathered barns or repurposed metal to create a vintage charm. Even when modern materials are used, they are often treated to mimic an aged appearance. This can involve techniques like staining or refinishing wood to give it a timeworn look, enhancing the home's nostalgic appeal.
Antique furniture and decor, with their years of wear, contribute to the distinctive aged charm of farmhouse interiors. Rustic wooden pieces are often disassembled and repurposed, or they are repaired and repainted through DIY methods to extend their lifespan and preserve their character.
Farmhouse cabinets are typically crafted from stained or natural wood, and many homeowners opt for open shelving to create a sense of spaciousness in the room.
An apron sink features a greater depth compared to standard sinks, with its front panel and sides left visible, making it extend beyond the countertop. This design not only enhances the sink's functionality but also complements the inviting and utilitarian charm of a country kitchen.
You can inculcate the above elements to come up with the best farmhouse style house. Below are the 11 best farmhouse style interior design ideas:
A farmhouse sink is a classic choice for achieving that authentic farmhouse kitchen look. Often referred to as apron front sinks, these fixtures are distinguished by their prominent front panels that extend beyond the kitchen cabinets and occasionally rise above the countertop. They instantly infuse a cozy, rustic charm into your kitchen. Today, farmhouse sinks are incredibly popular and readily available online.
Wood beams are an excellent way to infuse farmhouse charm into a home. They bring a touch of warmth to otherwise stark, white ceilings. Often, these beams are purely decorative and not meant to support the roof. Their primary purpose is to enhance the rustic, cozy atmosphere of your space. While ceiling beams are most effective on vaulted ceilings in family rooms, they can also look fantastic on standard-height ceilings, adding a touch of elegance and warmth.
Barn doors, with their charming farmhouse flair, offer a stylish and practical alternative to traditional pocket doors, and their appeal shows no sign of waning. These doors can enhance the character of various spaces, from a bathroom suite to a mudroom or even a butler’s pantry. To emphasize their rustic charm, consider using reclaimed wood, salvaged doors, and durable hardware. For a more contemporary twist, streamline the design with polished accessories and consider sanding or painting the wood to suit modern aesthetics.
Bench seating exudes warmth and timeless appeal. If you have space in your entryway for a metal bench, consider choosing a black finish. This thoughtful addition provides guests with a convenient spot to put on and remove their shoes when they visit.
Everyone appreciates a good piece of distressed furniture, and one of the best aspects of the farmhouse style is using old doors and windows. Among the pieces you might have, this old and distressed bench is likely to stand out as a favorite. It feels like you've brought a genuine farmhouse element right into your home.
Incorporating reclaimed wood into your farmhouse decor adds a cozy, rustic charm. Whether you're using it for a coffee table or a wall shelf, reclaimed wood often retains its natural edges. These organically rounded contours lend your space a laid-back, outdoor-inspired atmosphere.
Farmhouse style houses frequently showcase wide wooden planks with a rich brown finish. Ideally, each plank should be no less than 7 inches wide. To achieve this classic look on a budget, consider using cost-effective yet durable planks for flooring updates.
A fiddle leaf fig is a staple for farmhouse decor. While plants are often linked with boho styles, they actually enhance any interior design. Olive trees, whether real or artificial, are also a favored choice in farmhouse settings.
Woven baskets and trays are essential elements in farmhouse decor, bringing both texture and durability to your space. They’re not only stylish but also built to last. For a chic and understated centerpiece, consider placing ceramic planters on a woven tray in your dining room.
Shiplap offers a classic farmhouse charm for your interior spaces. This style involves horizontal wooden panels, usually 6 to 8 inches wide, that were originally used in shipbuilding, giving the style its name. Whether you choose to cover entire walls, ceilings, or just add a touch to accent walls, shiplap can bring a warm, rustic feel to any room.
This dining room showcases key elements of farmhouse design, including pale green Windsor chairs, a wrought iron chandelier suspended from a shiplap-paneled ceiling, a rustic plank dining table, a tall china cabinet, and an assortment of upholstery fabrics. The blend of these varied pieces exemplifies the farmhouse style’s charm, where unexpected combinations contribute to the distinctive, inviting atmosphere.
If the rustic charm of farmhouse style appeals to you, you might also enjoy these other diverse design styles:
For more design style ideas, visit our main page on Interior design styles.
Virtual staging is a digital technique that breathes new life into vacant or dated spaces by adding virtual furniture and decor. When it comes to farmhouse-style interiors, virtual staging becomes a powerful tool. It allows potential buyers to picture the warm, rustic allure of a farmhouse setting, even if the space is currently bare. Styldod's Virtual Staging service stands out for its ability to realize your farmhouse dreams, providing a diverse selection of genuine farmhouse styles at exceptional rates. Our skilled designers produce lifelike and engaging visuals that make a memorable impact.
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